Door with sections telescopically displaceable into each other

ABSTRACT

A door comprises a number of sections telescoping into each other in the vertical direction. Each section has a base portion and downwardly directed legs which, in the open position of the door, incline inwardly towards each other and, in the closed position of the door, in a substantially parallel position abut the upper portions of the legs of the section underneath. Members such as rollers facilitating the relative movement between the sections are mounted on the lower part of the inside of the legs and are supported at a distance above the lower edge of the sections so that, in the closed position of the door, they are above the base portion of the section underneath. The lowest section is provided with rollers engaging the door frame and an upwardly directed centering pin which, in the open position of the door, passes through recesses in the base portions of the sections above.

United States Patent Aberg DOOR WITH SECTIONS TELESCOPICALLY DISPLACEABLE INTO EACH OTHER [72] Inventor: Martin Birger Aberg, Oslovsgatan 20, Lagan, Sweden [22] Filed: July 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 165,734

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. I8, 1968 Sweden ..7347/68 Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 828,280, May 27,

1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl ..160/222, 160/202 [51] Int. Cl. ..E06b 3/44, E05d 15/16 [58] Field of Search ..160/132, 193, 197, 201, 202,

[56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,330,224 2/1920 Whitson ..160/202 1,771,554 7/1930 Bollheimerl ..l60/132 2,057,850 10/1936 Sims ..l60/193 151 r 3,698,465 1 Oct. 17, 1972 Boardman 1 60/193 Aberg ..-........l60/202 Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT A door comprises a number of sections telescoping into each other in the vertical direction. Each section has a base portion and downwardly directed legs which, in the open position of the door, incline inwardly towards each other and, in the closed position of the door, in a substantially parallel position abut the upper portions of the legs of the section underneath.

Members such as rollers facilitating the relative movement between the sections are mounted on the lower part of the inside of the legs and are supported at a distance above the lower edge of the sections so that, in the closed position of the door, they are above the base portion of the section underneath. The lowest section is provided with rollers engaging the door frame and an upwardly directed centering pin which, in the open position of the door, passes through recesses in the base portions of the sections above.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDncr 17 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 IN V EN TO'R.

' cushnm Afforfrya DOOR WITH SECTIONS TELESCOPICALLY DISPLACEABLE INTO EACH OTHER This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 828,280, filed May 27, 1969, now abandoned.

Previously is known a door comprising a number of vertically movable telescoping sections having a horizontally disposed base portion and downwardly directed legs which, in the open position of the door, incline inwardly towards each other and, when the door is closed, in a substantially parallel position abut the upper portions of the legs of the section underneath in the region of the base portion thereof. In the open position of the door the distancebetween the lower portions of the legs is less than the width of the base portions of the sections and less than the width of the base portion of the section immediately beneath, while when the door is closed the legs are bent outwardly by the section beneath to their final position in which the legs, in a substantially parallel position, resiliently engage the upper portions of the legs of the section underneath in the region of the base portion thereof.

Owing to the elastic abutment of the sections, they can be made of a thin material, a very large number of sections being contained in the open position of the door within a limited space. Large doors of low weight and using little material can thus be constructed. In practice, it has been found that a plate thickness of only 1 mm for the sections is sufficient for doors of m or more. Despite the small thickness of the material and low weight, the elastic engagement of the sections with each other makes it possible for the door, in closed position, to withstand considerable strains, e.g. caused by powerful winds, for which reasons it is particularly suitable toconstruct a door of the given kindin large dimensions.

The present invention concerns a door of the kind mentioned above and is characterized in that members such as rollers facilitating the relative movement between the sections are mounted on the lower part of the inside of the legs and cooperate with the outside of the legs of the section underneath.

The invention renders possible an increase of the elastic abutment of the sections with each other while simultaneously facilitating the mutual movement between the sections. A result thereof is even run of the sections as well as improved heat insulating properties in the closed position of the door.

In a further development of the invention the members such as the rollers facilitating movement are arranged at a distance above the lower edges of the sections so that in the closed position of the door, they project upwardly above the base portion of the sections beneath. Then the sealing between the sections can be further improved. A ledge, made for example of plastic, supporting the members facilitating movement can thus serve simultaneously as an effective sealing element attached to the section beneath.

A ledge of the said kind may also serve with ad vantage as a stiffener for the sections increasing the ability to withstand external strains such as wind forces. In addition, the ledge operates to reduce sound so that, despite the elastic abutment of the sections, the door carries out an almost soundless relative movement.

In opening the doorin order to facilitate the movement from closed position, in which the sections are 2 kept tightly pressed against each other,the 'transition betweenthebase portion of the sections andthelegs is gently rounded or double bent in an advantageous further embodiment. I f

The ledge provided with rollers are inserted at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the sections into inwardly and upwardly bent-portions at the lower edge of the sections. At the same time thatthe rollers cease to engage the legs of the section beneath, outwardly and downwardly bent hook elements fromthese sections engage such parts of the inwardly and upwardly bent edges of the section above which lack ledges provided with rollers. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing asection of a door of thestated kind. Thisv process is characterized by punching out and bending parts intended to act as support hooks for the section from the centralpart of a substantially flat sheet of metal, preferably alight metal such as aluminum, at a mutual difference corresponding to the width of the base portion of the finished section and hereafter, preferably after bending the outer edge portions of the sheet of metaltowards each other forming longitudinal grooves bending theportions of the sheets of metal outside the punched parts so that they incline inwardly towards each other forming legs for the section, and inserting a number of ledges provided with rollers into the longitudinal grooves at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the sections corresponding to or exceeding'the length of the punched support hooks. Owing to the fac tthatpunching and bending of the parts, which form carrier hooks for the finished section, takes place prior to bending the legs, the material is not subjected to strains sufficient to break the punched carrier hooks as could happen if the order was reversed. It will be appreciated that manufacture of the different'sections issimple by means of the process described, which is of great importance as the width of the base portions of the sections contained in a door va ries, for .which reason mass production of the sections is seldom possible.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention willbe evident from-the description below of some examples of its application. These are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a door accordingto the invention in its open position.

'FIG. 2 is a radial projection of apart of a door as in FIG. 1, in closed position. 7

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sections of parts of two adjacent sections and illustrate the mutual position between themin movement to and in the clbsedposition of the door, respectively.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the procedure in manufacturing a section.

A door comprises a number of telescopic sections 1 with base portions la and downwardly and inwardly bent legs lb. From the area between the base portion and the legs of thesections, a number of parts 1e are punched and bent at a mutual distance in the longitudinal direction of the sections, which parts form carrier hooks for the finished sections. The lower edge portions of the legs are further bent inwardlyand upwardly while forming grooves -10, which serve both to cooperate with the hooks 1e of the section beneath and to engage ledges made of-plastic or the like longitudinally arranged at a distance in which are mounted rollers 3, facilitating the mutual movement of the sections. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 the construction is such that the upper portions of the ledges, which engage the rollers, project upwardly adistance so that, when the door is closed, the rollers are some distance above the base portion of the section beneath. Under the effect of the elastic pressure of the sections, the ledges therewith effect reliable sealing between the sections. The transition 1f between the base portion and the legs of the sections has a gentle curve so that engagement of the rollers with the legs, when the door is to be opened, is facilitated.

The lowest section 4 has a closed cross-sectional form and supports an upwardly directed centering pin 5 which, in the open position of the door, passes through recesses in the base portion of the section above. Attached to the said section are support ropes 8 which pass through recesses in the sections above and are wound on drums (not shown) driven by a motor. Rollers 6 are mounted at the end edges of the sections, said rollers engaging the door frame and thereby effecting accurate guiding of the section. By means of the said centering pin 5, the sections above are reliably guided as, when the door is opened, they are always brought into alignment with the lowest section.

ln the lowest section is also arranged a weight or .spring means 9 connected to the support rope 8 and keeping it taut in case the section, in closing, should strike against an external object. The rope 8 passes a sleeve 12 which goes through a recess in the upper part of the lowest section and abuts a plate 13 supporting the sections above during the closing movement of the door until the support hooks 10, 1c of the sections take over this task. A microswitch 14 is attached to the upper part of the lower section having an actuating member 15 which passes through the top of the section and is actuated by impact against the base portion of the section above in the event of the lowest section being impeded during the closing movement of the door. Thr further switch 16 is arranged in the lowest section actuated by the abovementioned weight or spring means which keeps the support rope 8 taut. On actuation from the switch 14 or 16, respectively, the drive motor is disconnected, in addition to which reversal of the movement may also be effected. The weight or spring means keeps the rope taut until the movement of the door in the direction of closure has ceased.

The arrangement described effects double safety against the risk of accident if a person or object happens to get in the way of the door during closure, in addition to which the rope 8 is prevented from slackening and being wound off the drum.

Instead of the described weight or spring arrangement in the lowest section it is possible to use an arrangement with a torsion spring cooperating with a suitable switch on the shaft of the drum for the rope 8 to obtain the corresponding effect.

The said sleeve 12, which is passed by the rope 8, is connected to a latching member 19 by a lever 18 which latching member, in the closed position of the door, automatically engages a suitable recess (not shown) in the door frame, thereby interlocking the door.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the procedure in a simple process for manufacturing sections for a door according to the invention. It can be seen that the initial material comprises a thin, flat sheet of metal. This conv sists preferably of a light metal such as aluminum. Two lines of parts. 1e are punched and bent from this at a mutual distance corresponding to the width of the base portion of the finished section being bent upwardly. These parts are intended to serve as upper support hooks for the section. After this, the outer edge portions of the sheet of metal are bent downwards and inwards forming longitudinal grooves 10. The portions of the sheet of metal lying outside the punched parts 1e are then bent downwards so that they form an angle of less than with the base portion, i.e. so that they incline inwards towards each other while forming legs for the section thus formed. Simultaneously with the formation of the support hooks 1e, recesses can be punched in the base portion of the section for a centering pin and support ropes. After insertion of ledges 2 provided with rollers 3 the section is ready for use.

Instead of being gently rounded, the transition lf between the base portion and the legs may be double bent, e.g. may have two 45 folds.

What is claimed: 1. A door closure comprising a plurality of telescoping, horizontally-extending sections; said sections telescoping vertically in the closing direction of said door; said sections each including a base portion with depending legs; the legs of each superposed section being inclined inwardly when said door is open with the nominal unstressed distance between terminal portions of said legs of each superposed section being less than the width of the base portion of said section and less than the width of the base portion of the adjacent underlying section wherein said legs of said superposed sections are flexed outwardly by said adjacent underlying sections as the door is being closed; and said legs of each superposed section engaging said base portion of said adjacent underlying section when said door is closed forming a weather seal and to retain said sections in substantially parallel positions,

the improvement wherein each of said sections includes means mounting rollers on the inside thereof for cooperation with the outside of the legs of the underlying section to facilitate relative movement therebetween, said rollers being mounted on the lower inside portion of said legs at a predetermined distance above the lower edge of the legs and spaced inwardly therefrom to permit said rollers to engage the outside of the legs of the underlying superposed section only when said door closure is opening or in an open position and to permit said legs of each adjacent underlying section to resiliently engage said base portion of said adjacent underlying section when said door is closed, said predetermined distance being sufficient to cause said rollers to leave contact with the outside of the legs of the underlying superposed section when the door is closed whereby the weather sealing and structural rigidity of the door closure are insured even though said rollers are included to facilitate opening and closing operations.

2. The door of claim 1 wherein the lower portions of said legs are provided with portions which are inwardly and upwardly bent thereby defining a ledge and said rollers are mounted above by said predetermined distance and also spaced inwardly another predetermined distance from said ledge.

3. An improved telescopic door comprising:

a number of sections telescopically displaceable into each other in the vertical direction as the door is opened andclosed, 7

each section having a horizontally disposed base por- I tion and downwardly directed legs which, in the open position of the door incline inwardly towards each other and which, in the closed position of the door, are substantially parallel and sealingly abutting the upperportions of the legs of the section underneath in the region of the base portion thereof, said legs of said superposed sections are flexed outwardly by said adjacent underlying sections as the door is being closed,

' each of said sections further including rollers said rollers are mounted at a predetermined distance above the lower edge of the legs and are spaced inwardly therefrom another predetermined distance to permit the rollers to automatically disengage from the outside legs of the underlying section when the door is moved to a completely closed position, said rollers being above the base portion of the underlying section in the closed position thereby facilitating sealing between the sections when in the closed position. I 

1. A door closure comprising a plurality of telescoping, horizontally-extending sections; said sections telescoping vertically in the closing direction of said door; said sections each including a base portion with depending legs; the legs of each superposed section being inclined inwardly when said door is open with the nominal unstressed distance between terminal portions of said legs of each superposed section being less than the width of the base portion of said section and less than the width of the base portion of the adjacent underlying section wherein said legs of said superposed sections are flexed outwardly by said adjacent underlying sections as the door is being closed; and said legs of each superposed section engaging said base portion of said adjacent underlying section when said door is closed forming a weather seal and to retain said sections in substantially parallel positions, the improvement wherein each of said sections includes means mounting rollers on the inside thereof for cooperation with the outside of the legs of the underlying section to facilitate relative movement therebetween, said rollers being mounted on the lower inside portion of said legs at a predetermined distance above the lower edge of the legs and spaced inwardly therefrom to permit said rollers to engage the outside of the legs of the underlying superposed section only when said door closure is opening or in an open position and to permit said legs of each adjacent underlying section to resiliently engage said base portion of said adjacent underlying section when said door is closed, said predetermined distance being sufficient to cause said rollers to leave contact with the outside of the legs of the underlying superposed section when the door is closed whereby the weather sealing and structural rigidity of the door closure are insured even though said rollers are included to facilitate opening and closing operations.
 2. The door of claim 1 wherein the lower portions of said legs are provided with portions which are inwardly and upwardly bent thereby defining a ledge and said rollers are mounted above by said predetermined distance and also spaced inwardly another predetermined distance from said ledge.
 3. An improved telescopic door comprising: a number of sections telescopically displaceable into each other in the vertical direction as the door is opened and closed, each section having a horizontally disposed base portion and downwardly directed legs which, in the open position of the door incline inwardly towards each other and which, in the closed position of the door, are substantially parallel and sealingly abutting the upper portions of the legs of the section underneath in the region of the base portion thereof, said legs of said superposed sections are flexed outwardly by said adjacent underlying sections as the door is being closed, each of said sections further including rollers mounted on the lower inside portion of the legs for cooperation with the outside of the legs of the section underneath to facilitate relative movement therebetween when said door is opened or in an open position and wherein, said rollers are mounted at a predetermined distance above the lower edge of the legs and are spaced inwardly therefrom another predetermined distance to permit the rollers to automatically disengage from the outside legs of the underlying section when the door is moved to a completely closed position, said rollers being above the base portion of the underlying section in the closed position thereby facilitating sealing between the sections when in the closed position. 